Cork-scoring mechanism



R. CHASE CORK SCORING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 5, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 jinx/697 R. CHASE CORK SCORING MEGHANI SM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13, 1921 III R. CHASE CORK SCORING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 5, 1921 5 Sheets Sheet s I ma Patented den. 2'7,

UNITED STATES tartan ATENT ()FFICE.

ROBERT CHASE, F WALPOLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED METAL SEAL COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIQN 0'15 MASSACHUSETTS.

GOR-K-SGORTNG MECHANISM.

Application filed November 3, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT CHASE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Walpole, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cork- Scoring Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for manufacturing metal bottle caps of the Crown type which are provided with a cork lining and additional means for protecting the inner face of the cork lining from the deteriorating action of the contents with which the bottles, on which the caps are used, are filled.

A machine for inserting the cork lining on the flanged caps and then applying the cork protecting means is disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,195,892 granted August 22, 1916 to George M. C. Nielsen. As disclosed in said patent the protecting means for the cork is in the form of a metal facing, preferably tin-foil, of disk form with a peripheral flange projecting from one face, and this facing is secured to the cork by forcing its flange into an annular groove previously cut in the exposed face of the cork cap lining.

It has been discovered that, owing to the resiliency of the cork lining, it is difficult, by means of a reciprocatory die cutter, to produce an annular groove of the required depth to properly receive and hold the metal facing. The object of the present invention is to provide cutting means which will invariably produce an annular groove of the required dimensions in a cork, or other resilient, cap lining. Accordingly a feature of the invention provides means for holding the cap lining under compression while the annular groove is being formed. Preferably the cap lining is inclosed by means of a rotary cutter operating While the compressing agent is active.

To the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafter appear, as will readily be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention comprises the features and combinations of parts hereinafter described and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

,The preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a partial elevational View Serial No. 512,565.

of the machine illustrating the location of the novel cap lining groove cutting mechanism on the frame; F 2 is a detail in side elevation of a portion of the driving mechanism for the groove cutter; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the groove cutter and mechanism for operating it; Fig. 4 is a plan of the parts shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 6; Fig. 6 is a central, vertical section through the groove cutter and adjacent parts; and Fig. 7 is a detail of the gear for driving the groove cutter.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the machine comprises a frame 10, (Fig. 1) a portion of which is shown in Fig. 1, from which rises two connected, parallel guide mem bers 12, only one of which is shown in which guide members there is journalled a horizontal driving shaft 14. The driving shaft is provided with a pair or eccentrics 16 only one of which is shown. Each eccentric is connected through an eccentric strap and rod 18 to a cross head 20, the movement of which is guided in suitable vertical ways in the guide members 12. Control of the driving shaft is secured through fast and loose pulleys 22 and 24, as shown in Fig. l. A rotary dial plate 26 rests upon a bolster plate 28 secured to the upper face of the frame 1.0, which forms a bed therefor. The dial plate is provided with a series of pockets 30 (Fig. 4) for receiving the metal bottle caps. The bottle caps 32 (Fig. 3) re ceive the cork lining 84 which is to be scored by the tubular knife 36 while sustained in the pockets 30. The bottoms of all of the pockets 30 of the dial plate 26 are formed by plungers 38 which sustain the caps while being operated upon and are secured to the dial plate in such a manner that they partake of its rotary motion.

All of the parts thus far described are the same, or equivalents, of like parts i1- lustra'ted and described in said prior patent to Nielsen, and for a more detailed descrip tion a reference may be had to said patent.

In accordance with the present invention it is contemplated that the scoring knife or cutter 36, bestshown in Fig. 6, be given a continuous rotar 7 motion, and to] this end it is secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft 40' (Fig; 8' and 6) which rotates within a bushing 42 arranged in a vertical bore in the frame 44. The cutter shaft 40 is provided near its upper end with two oppositely disposed axial slots 46, the purpose of which will presently appear, and projecting into these slots are diametrically arranged plates 48 (Fig. 7 which are secured to an underlying gear wheel 50 journalled upon the projecting upper end of the bushing l2. This gear is driven by a master gear 52 (Fig. 3) which has a hub 54L fixed in any suitable manner to the hub of a bevel gear 561 'Bothgears 52 and 56 are journalled upon a fixed shaft 58 arranged in a vertical bore in another portion of the cutter frame d4. The bevel gear 56 is in turn driven by a second bevel gear 60 secured at one end of a horizontal rotary shaft 62 journalled in the cutter frame ia within a bushing 64-. Rotary motion is imparted to the shaft 62, and through the train of gearing just described to the scoring knife 36,.by the rota tion of a'pulley 66 on the shaft 62 driven by a belt 68 in a manner presently to be described.

' Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the scoringcutter 36, preferably of the tubular type, is surrounded by an annular cap-lining pressing member 70 arranged centrally on a plate 72 which nor mally assumes a position .with the cutter 3G nested within it. Rising from the plate 72 are two guide posts 74; (see Fig. 6) which pass through vertical bores in the frame L4 arranged parallel to and at each side of the here which receives the cutter shaft 4C0. The upper end of. the cutter shaft 40' is provided with a peripheral groove which provides a head 76, and seat ed in this groove is an actuator bar 78 having a central notch, as is best shown in Fig. 4, to enable it to be slipped into and out of position beneath the head Te. At each end of the actuator bar there is formed a d spending vertical sleeve 80 through which "the guide posts 71 extend. Within the two side bores of the frame 5L4; are coiled springs 82which are seated at their lower ends upon the bottom surfaces of said bores and engage are lower faces of the sleeves 80 'with their upper ends. These springs counterbalance the weight of the parts just described and normally nraintainv the knife 36 and pressure member 70 in tlieposition shown in Fig. 6; The guide posts 74 are each surrounded also by a second coiled spring 84g tlieupper ends of which bear again'st the lower faces of the sleeves 8i), andthe' lower ends of whichbear against some form of fixed abutment on the guide posts .74. Suchan abutment is conveniently for'nedby sleeves 86 about the guide posts which sleeves rise from the plate 72 and extend within the side bores in the frame. Tlie c utter shaft-"d0 is held in position by means of a vertical cap plate 88 (Fig. 5) secured to the frame H by screws 90. This cap plate is formed at its upper end with a guard 92' (Fig. 3) which partially surrounds the cutter gear 50.

In the operation of the machine the bottle caps are successively carried, while in the pockets 30 of the dial plate 26, beneath the scoring cutter 36. The cutter is so located on the frame of the machine that in the intermittent motion imparted to the dial plate the bottle caps held therc by, with the cork lining applied, register therewith, at each pause in the dial plate movement. During this period of rest the cap lining is scored. The mode of opera tion, thus far, is the same as in said prior patent to Nielsen. In the present machine the eccentric is so timed that as each bottle cap reaches a position in registry with the scoring cutter S6 the-cross head 20. is dc pressed and, through engagement with the head 76 of the cutter shaft 40, causes the cutter shaft to be depressed, advancing the rotating cutter into engagement with the cap lining. The purpose of the axial slots 16 in the cutter shaft will now be clear, since they permit this relative axial movement between the cutter shaft and its driving gear. The inner, coiled springs 84 are stiff enough to cause the pressure member 70 to be depressed and advanced with the scoring cutter 36 during the first portion of the downward movement of the actuator bar 78, this simultaneous movement continuing until the pressure .member on gages the cap lining 34. As soon, however, as the pressure member has engaged the cap lining, continued downward movement of the actuator bar 78 compresses the springs 8-1:, while yet continuing the positive advance of the cutter causing it to penetrate the cap lining. The effect of this operation, owing tothe nested arrangement of the cutter and pressure member, is to compress an area of the cap lining inuuediately beside the line of scoring made by the cutter 3G, and to hold this area under con' pression during the period of time required for the cut to be made. It will be evident: from an inspection of Figs. 3 and Othat the pressure member 70 will compress an annular area of the cork lining 3%, and that while this area held under compression the knife or cutter 36 will cut a. groove in the margin of the compressed area. In other words, the material in one wall of the groove will be held under compression while the grooving operation is being performed. When the eccentric 16 has reached such an angular position as to cause the cross head 20 to be raised, the coiled springs 82 and 8a operate to return the scoring cutter 36 and pressure member T0 to the position shown in Fig. (i, The

ion

rotation of the cutter 36 causes an annular groove to be produced in the cap lining just within the compressed area, and because the material is compressed during the operation of the cutter. it is insured that the groove is of sufficient depth to receive the additional metal protecting means which is applied to the cap lining at a later stage in the operation of the machine. After the cutter has been retracted from the bottle cap, the dial plate isagain operated to advance the cap to a position to receive the additional protecting means in the manner described in said prior patent to Nielsen.

Any suitable means for driving the belt (58 may be en'iployed, and a convenient driving mechanism is illustrated in Figs 1 and 2. As there shown, the belt 68 travels at its upper end about a second pulley 94, which is secured to a shaft 96 journalled in a frame 98 pivotally mounted upon a horizontal pin 100 carried by a bracket 102 secured to a side guide 12 of the machine frame. The shaft 96 at its other end is provided with a friction roll 104 which travels on the inner periphery of the fast driving pulley 22, whereby when said pulley is rotated the friction. roll is rotated and drives the belt 68. In order to maintain the friction roll 104 in proper driving contact with the pulley 22, an adjusting screw 108, is carried by a small bracket 110 secured to the adjacent side guide 12. This screw bears on the frame 98 and is used to position the frame 98 on its pivot 100 at such an angle that the required frictional engagement is secured, the contact being maintained by pressure from the pulley 22.

Particular attention is directed to. the importance of compressing the cork lining while the groove for receiving the metal facing is being produced. The resiliency of the cork is such that a groove of the required depth is extremely diflicult to ob tain when the only pressure is from the cutter itself, as in said patent to Nielsen. It has been discovered that a rotary cutter gives excellent results, but that extreme accuracy is secured by the combination of a rotary cutter with means for compressing the cap lining hereinbefore described as the preferred form of the invention.

While it is preferred to employ the specific construction and arrangement of parts shown and described it will be understood that this construction is not essential except so far as specified in the claims, and may be changed or modified without departing from the broader features of the invention.

l/Vhat is claimed as new, is

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for sustaining a flanged bottle cap having a lining of resilient material seated within the flange, of a rotary cutter, mechanism for rotating said cutter, a device for compressing said lining closely adjacent to the points of operation thereon of said cutter, and a single means for advancing said de vice and rotating cutter into engagement with the lining.

2. In a machine for making bottle caps of the type in which a metal cap contain ing a lining of cork is fed from one operating station to another, at one of which stations an annular groove is to be cut in said cork lining, means for supporting the lined cap, means for cutting the groove, andmeans for compressing an annular por tion of the lining closely adjacent to said groove during the cutting operation.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for sustaining a bottle cap provided with a lining of resilient material, of a tubular knife mounted opposite said support, means for causing said knife to penetrate the lining to cut an annular groove therein without cutting through the lining, and means for compressing the lining in one wall of the out While the knife is cutting.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for sustaining a bottle cap having a cork lining, of an annular pressure member for engaging and compressing an annular area of said lining, and a rotary knife for cutting a circular groove in the cork while said member compresses the cork in one wall of said groove.

5. In a machine of the combination with a support for sustaining a bottle cap provided with a lining of resilient material, a tubular lining compressing member, a tubular knife nested within said member, and means for supporting said knife and member permitting their advance into simultaneous engagement with said lining and then a further advance of said knife relative to said member far enough to groove the lining while the said member compresses the lining in one wall of the groove.

6. In a machine of the combination with taining a bottle cap having a cork lining, of means for compressing an annular portion of the area of said lining, and means for cutting an annular groove in the cork in the marginal portion of said annular area while the cork in said area is held compressed.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support for sustaining a bottle cap having a cork lining, a pressure member having a circular opening therein, a rotary cutter mounted with in said opening, spring means for holding the class described,

the class described, a support for sussaid cutter and member normally in adefinite relationship to each other, and mechanism for moving said member and cutter into contact with said lining and then advancing the cutter beyond said member far enough to cause the cutter to groove the lining While said member compresses the lining in one Wall of said groove.

8. In amachine of the class described, the combination oi a support for sustaining a bottle cap having a cork linin a cutter frame, a spindle movable axially within said frame, a cutter secured to said spindle, a pressure member closely en- 5- circling said cutter and movable axially with reference thereto, a movable guide post mounted in said frame parallel to said spindle and on which said pressure member is mounted, spring means for holding said member normally in a forward position relatively to said cutter, and mechanism for moving said spindle and guide post axially to advance the cutter and pressure member simultaneously to cause them to engage said lining, said mechanism being operative to continue the advance of the cutter far enough after the pressure member has come to rest against the cap lining to cause the cutter to groove said lining.

ROBERT CHASE. 

